Rotary plow feeder

ABSTRACT

A discharge system for transferring bulk material from cargo holds onto a discharge conveyor of a self-unloading vessel comprises inclined storage shelves, which extend beneath and receive bulk material from the cargo holds, and inclined rotary plow feeders which traverse the length of the shelves to reclaim bulk material from the shelves and deposit the material onto the discharge conveyor. The rotary plow feeders are each driven by a first drive system about a central axis of rotation to reclaim material from the inclined shelves and the feeders are each provided with a second drive system for pivoting the hub of the feeder about an eccentric axis to commence, adjust, or terminate the feed of material from the shelves to the conveyor. With the rotary plow feeders in their retracted positions the feeders can be relocated along the shelves, as desired, even with material on the shelves. The hub of each feeder includes a ring gear normally driven about its central axis by an internal pinion gear for reclaiming and an annular ring gear housing that is pivoted about an eccentric axis of the feeder, coinciding with the axis of the pinion, to adjust the depth that the feeder blades extend into the bulk material on the shelves.

United States Patent Adler et al. Feb. 15, 1972 [54] ROTARY PLOW FEEDER[72] Inventors: Imre Adler, Verona; Louis Felts, Butler; [57] ABSTRACTNicholas S. Klucheff, Brick Town, all f A discharge system fortransferring bulk material from cargo NJ. holds onto a dischargeconveyor of a self-unloading vessel [73] Assignee: HewimkobinsIncorporated, Stamford, comprises inclined storage shelves, which extendbeneath and Conn receive bulk material from the cargo holds, andinclined rotary plow feeders which traverse the length of the shelves toFiled: p 24, 1970 reclaim bulk material from the shelves and deposit themateri- 7 al onto the discharge conveyor. The rotary plow feeders are 1Appl' 31,664 each driven by a first drive system about a central axis ofrotation to reclaim material from the inclined shelves and the [52][1.8. CI DA, feeders are each provided with a econd drive ystem for2l4/15 E pivoting the hub of the feeder about an eccentric axis to com-[51] lnt.Cl ..B65g 65/48 meme, adjust, or terminate the f d f material fthe [58] Field of Search ..2l4/ l0, 15 E, 17 DA; 198/96, Shelves to theconveyon w the rotary plow feeders in their 198/101, 212 retractedpositions the feeders can be relocated along the shelves, as desired,even with material on the shelves. The hub [56] References cued of eachfeeder includes a ring gear normally driven about its UNFTED STATESPATENTS central axis by an internal pinion gear for reclaiming and anannular ring gear housing that IS pivoted about an eccentric Van axis ofthe feeder coinciding the axis of the pinion [0 ad. 3,455,467 7/ 1969Martini et al .214] 15 E just the depth that the f d blades extend intothe bulk Primary Examiner-Robert G. Sheridan Att0rneyJ0hn D. Boos andJohn D. Lister material on the shelves.

18 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDEEBIQQYZ SHEEI 1 OF 4 pa x w 0 Z mm a n am m N a a J, ,1 & Q m & &: M 3 Wwv l w N PAIENTEO FEB 15 m2 SHEETl 0F 4 ROTARY PLOW FEEDER BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention is generally related to rotary plow feeders and, inparticular, to an improved rotary plow feeder which can be pivoted aboutan eccentric axis to adjust the depth that the feeder blades extend intothe material being reclaimed.

Rotary plow feeders of the prior art have been provided with retractableblades (e.g., Martini et al., No. 3,455,467, issued July 15, 1969) andwith mechanisms for adjusting the plow feeders relative to shelf onwhich they operate (e.g., British Pat. Nos. 998,303, July 14, 1965; No.1,014,201, Dec. 22, 1965; and French Pat. No. 722,514, Mar. 17,1932).I-Iowever, none of the above-mentioned disclosures utilize orsuggest a mechanism of the type or character set forth in the presentapplication for both rotating the rotary plow feeder about a centralaxis to effect reclaiming and pivoting the rotary plow feeder about aneccentric axis to commence, adjust, or terminate the feed of bulkmaterial from a storage shelf to a conveyor or the like.

The rotary plow feeder assembly of the present invention is constructedso that the carriage can be readily moved along the length of a storageshelf to any desired location without the plow feeder performing areclaiming function.

The rotary plow feeder assembly of the present invention provides amechanism for pivoting the rotor, alone, about an eccentric axis tocommence, adjust, or terminate the feed of bulk material from a storageshelf.

Due to the unique, eccentric rotor drives for effecting reclaiming by arotor and the adjusting of the rotor relative to a shelf, the diameterof the plow feeder rotor can be reduced with a resulting saving in thespace required for the feeder assembly.

With the eccentric drive of the present invention the input required toprovide a specified torque about the axis of rotation of the rotary plowfeeder is reduced when compared to the conventional drive wherein thedrive shaft coincides with the axis of rotation of the rotary plowfeeder.

Briefly, the preferred form of the invention comprises a rotary plowfeeder wherein the hub of the rotor includes an internal ring gear thatis driven by a pinion gear offset with respect to the axis of rotationof the ring gear. The ring gear is rotatably supported within an annularhousing having a separate drive that pivots the housing about the axisof rotation of the pinion gear. Thus, when the annular housing ispivoted about the last-mentioned axis, which is eccentrically locatedwith regard to the centerline and axisof rotation of the ring gear, therotor is adjusted relative to the storage shelf and bulk material on theshelf to commence, adjust, or terminate the reclaiming of material fromthe shelf.

The above objects and advantages of the present invention will becomemore apparent and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is an end view of a preferred form of the invention with portionsthereof in cross section and illustrating the invention within the holdof a vessel that is shown in partial transverse cross section;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view of the rotary plow feeder takensubstantially along lines 22 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the overheadcarriage suspension and drive;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view taken substantially along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2with portions broken away for illustrative purposes and showing therotor fully extended in solid line and retracted in dashed line;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the rotor hub and part ofthe drive assembly taken along lines 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4 with portions thereofbroken away to better illustrate the ring and pinion drive in plan; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the drive assembly takensubstantially along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings andparticularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a preferred embodiment ofthe invention is shown in the hold of a self-unloading vessel 20, suchas the one illustrated in the D. H. Martini et al. U.S. Pat. No.3,455,467, issued July 15, 1969. Of course, it is to be understood thatthe rotary plow feeder of the present invention is not restricted in itsuse to self-unloading vessels but can be used in various bulk handlingsystems where the material is reclaimed from a storage shelf or thelike.

The self-unloading vessel 20 has a storage area made up of a series ofcargo holds 2 2 formed by a series transverse bulkheads 24 (only theforward and aft bulkheads being shown) and sidewalls 26. As shown inFIG. 1, the lower portions of cargo hold sidewalls 26 are inclineddownwardly from the sides of the vessel toward to center of the vesseland a pair of upwardly inclined storage shelves 28 form a juncture withthe bottom of the sidewalls. These storage shelves 28 are continuous andextend for substantially the entire length of the storage area with theupper downturned edges 30 of the shelves being spaced apart so as todefine a horizontal slottype opening which also extends forsubstantially the entire length of the storage area. A double pitchedroof 32 is centered over the slot-type opening with the inclined roofsections 34 being spaced above shelves 28, thereby forming alongitudinal tunnel 36 at the bottom of the cargo holds. The roofsections 34 are suitably braced with each inclined roof section 34 beingsubstantially parallel to one of the storage shelves 28 and spaced fromthe sloping sidewalls 26 of the cargo hold so as to define an inclinedslot-type opening 38 extending along the entire length of the storagearea. These slots enable the bulk material stored in the cargo holds toenter the tunnel 36 and come to rest on the storage shelves 28. The sizeof these inclined slot openings 38 and the width of the storage shelvesare so related to the angle of repose of the stored bulk material thatthe material comes to rest on the storage shelves 28 as a sloping pileof material well below the upper edges 30 of the shelves.

A suspended carriage 40 for the plow mechanisms is carried on anoverhead rail 42, that is secured to the apex of the roof 32 byconventional support members 64, and parallel guide rails 44, that arewelded or otherwise mounted on the undersides of shelves 28. As bestshown in FIGS. I and 2, the carriage 40 is provided with two pair ofupwardly opening channel shaped members 46, 48 which straddle the railand carry rollers 50, 52, respectively, that ride on horizontallyextending base flanges of the rail assembly. Members 46, 48 arepivotally carried on frame members 54, 56 which in turn are pivotallysecured to I-beam 58 of the carriage though mating lug assemblies 60,62. With this construction the rail 42 can be suspended from above asshown and the pivotal mountings enable the carriage to negotiate anyirregularities between rail sections.

Pairs of guide rollers 68 are provided on each side of the carriageframe adjacent the ends of the carriage. These rollers 68 cooperate withrails 44 to maintain the carriage in proper alignment.

Located below the horizontal slot-type opening defined between shelfedges 30 is a conventional discharge conveyor 70 having a conveyingreach 72 and a return reach 74. The carriage 40 straddles the conveyingreach 72 and is provided with guide chutes 76, which open over thedischarge conveyor, to direct material which is removed from the shelves28 by the plow mechanisms down onto conveying reach 72 of the conveyor.As best shown in FIG. 1, the chutes 76 slope from the shelves 28 downand toward the center of the conveyor with the upper ends of the chutesprojecting beneath the downturned edges or flanges 30 of the shelves 28and the lower ends of the chutes terminating over the conveying reach 72of the conveyor assembly.

The carriage is driven by a conventional rope or cable haulage drivesystem 80. The system comprises a cable 82, at least one drive motor anddouble drum cable drive assembly 84 for driving the cable in eitherdirection, a conventional cable takeup assembly 86, guide and suspensionrollers 88, which are carried on rail supports 64, and a conventionalmounting means 90, such as shackle end turnbuckles for uniting the cablewith the carriage. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the turnbuckles 90are attached to upper end of the vertical 1- beam 92 of the carriage.

While the carriage is shown suspended from an overhead track, it is tobe understood that the carriage can be mounted on tracks in a mannerlike or similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2 of US. Pat. No. 3,455,467which was cited above. Furthermore, although the carriage is shown witha rope haulage drive, any conventional means such as motorized drivewheels, not shown, can be employed to drive the carriage forward andrearward along the shelves and the horizontal slot.

1n the construction shown there are two independent rotary plow feedermechanisms 94, 96 mounted on the carriage with each mechanism includinga rotor 98, 100 and having its own drive system 102, 104. The rotors 98,100 each include a hub 106 and scraper or plow blades 108 secured to theperiphery of the .hub. The periphery of each hub is provided with upperand lower annular flanges 110, 112 with crossmembers 118 extendingbetween and welded or otherwise affixed to these flanges. The scraperblades 108 extend radially out from the hub and comprise substantiallyarcuate scraper members 114 and substantially semicircular cover members116 which are superposed on the scraper members. The cover members 114are riveted, welded, or otherwise affixed at their innermost edge to theupper flange 110 of the hub while the innermost end of the scraperblades 108 are riveted, welded, or otherwise affixed to flanges 110, 112and cross members 118. The scraper blades 108 pass over the shelves 28,a minimum clearance being allowed between the lower edge 120 of eachscraper member and its respective shelf, and cooperate with the uppersurfaces of the shelves to direct material from the shelves 28 to thechutes 76. The cover members 116 prevent the material from flowing overthe top of the scraper members 114.

The drive systems 102, 104 comprise first and second drive trains 126,128 and 130, 132, respectively, for driving the rotors during normalreclaiming operations and for pivoting the rotors to a selected positionthat determines the depth the rotor plow blades extend into the materialon the shelf for commencing, adjusting, or terminating the feed ofmaterial from the shelf to the conveyor. While not shown in detail, itis to be understood that the components of the drive trains are coveredat least in part by shields 66 which are welded or otherwise mounted onthe carriage frame by conventional fasteners.

The first drive train of each rotary plow feeder mechanism includes aring gear 134 and pinion 136 with the ring gear 134 serving as part ofthe hub of the plow feeder rotor. The ring gear 134 is connected with anouter annular hub member 138 by means of a circular metal plate 140which is bolted by assemblies 142, welded, or otherwise affixed to theupper surface of the ring gear 134 and the upper edge of outer ringmember 138 so as to position these members concentrically with respectto each other. The outer ring member is substantially L-shaped intransverse cross section and cooperates with a protruding annularportion of plate 140 to form flanges 110, 112 of the hub periphery towhich the scraper blades 108 are affixed as previously set forth. Inthis manner when the internal ring gear 134 is rotated about its centralaxis of rotation x-x which extends perpendicular or substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of the shelf surface, the outer annular hubmember 138 and scraper blades 108 are also rotated about the same axisof rotation,

As best shown in FIG. 4, the internal ring gear 134 meshes with and isdriven by pinion gear 136 that is affixed to shaft 144 which rotates onan axis yy eccentrically located with respect to the axis of rotation ofthe ring gear 134. The shaft 144 of the pinion gear is rotatably mountedwithin sleeve 146 of the second drivetrain by roller bearing assemblies148, 150

or equivalent means and is coupled to the output shaft of a gearreduction unit 152 by a conventional coupling 155. The gear reductionunit 152 is driven by a conventional motor 154 and is provided with aconventional clutch assembly to permit rotation of the pinion relativeto the motor when the rotor is being adjusted about axis yy by thesecond drive train. Both the gear reduction unit 152 and the motor 154are affixed to the carriage framework by conventional fastenerassemblies.

The second drive train of each plow mechanism serves to adjust the depthto which the rotor blades extend into the material and includes anannular ring gear housing 156 which is interposed between the internalring gear 134 and the external annular member 138 of the plow hub.Housing 156 includes upper and lower rings 158, 160 which are joinedtogether by bolt assemblies 162 or equivalent fastening means. The rings158, 160 each have inner peripheral flanges 162, 164 which cooperatewith opposing annular grooves 166, 168 in the external concentricsurface of the ring gear 134 to define raceways which carry bearings sothat the ring gear '134 is rotatably carried within the housing 156. Theouter surface of housing 156 which opposes the inner surface of theouter hub member 138 carries a suitable self-lubepacking or sealingmeans of a conventional nature which engages and cooperates with hubmember 138 to prevent dirt, dust, and other undesirable matter fromworking its way into the roller bearing assembly.

The housing 156 is mounted on a circular support plate 172 by boltassemblies 162. The plate 172 has an eccentrically located aperturetherein which receives sleeve 146 of the drive train. The sleeve iswelded or otherwise affixed to the support plate and tapered bracingspokes 174, extending radially out from the sleeve, are welded orotherwise suitably secured to the sleeve and the underside of the plate172. The axis of rotation of the sleeve 146 coincides with thecenterline yy of the pinion gear drive shaft that is mounted within thesleeve on roller bearing assemblies 148, 150 and therefore rotation ofthe sleeve about axis yy causes the rotor to pivot about this axis whichis eccentrically located relative to the axis of rotation x-x of therotor.

The sleeve 146 is rotatably carried within a mounting sleeve 176 of thecarriage with the bearing assemblies or bushings 178, 180 that areinterposed between the opposing concentric sleeve surfaces permittingrotation of the sleeve 146 relative to the mounting sleeve 176. Themounting sleeve 176 is provided with a collar 182 which is'welded to thesleeve and bolted, welded, or otherwise rigidly affixed to the carriageframework 184 so as to provide a firm mounting for the rotor.

The sleeve 146 has an annular flange 186 welded or otherwise rigidlysecured thereto which is utilized to couple the sleeve to a sprocket 188by bolt assemblies 190. The sprocket 188 is driven by a drive chain 192to pivot the ring gear housing about axis yy. As best shown in FIG. 2,the drive chain 192 connects sprocket 188 to a sprocket 194 on theoutput shaft 196 of a conventional worm gear reduction unit 198 which isprovided with a disc brake or other suitable braking mechanism on theinput shaft. The gear reduction unit 198, in turn, is driven by a motor200 or other conventional power source. While a conventional worm gearreduction unit is illustrated other conventional gear reduction unitsand locking mechanisms or brake assemblies to lock the drive train andconsequently the rotor in a desired position relative to the storageshelf can be used.

In operation, the rotors are rotated in a reclaiming direction by drivetrains 126, 128 while the carriage is slowly driven in either a forwardor reverse direction along the length of the tunnel. The materialreclaimed off the storage shelves fall through the guide chutes and ontothe conveyor belt below. When used in the hold of the vessel thecarriage would normally continuously traverse the total length of thecargo hold in order to keep the vessel on an even keel during unloadingand reduce the ballast requirements. The speed of the rotors and thespeed of the carriage can be varied in accordance with thecharacteristics of the material handled and the desired discharge rate.The discharge rate can also be regulated through drive trains 130, 132by adjusting the depth that the blades extend into the material on theshelves. As the material is reclaimed from the storage shelves 28, thematerial in the cargo hold flows by gravity into the tunnel and comes torest on the storage shelves. There is thus a continuous gravity feed ofmaterial from the cargo hold onto the storage shelves as the material isundercut by the rotors. In addition to facilitating the regulation ofthe discharge rate drive trains I30, I32 ena ble the rotors to bepivoted about eccentric axis yy between a fully extended position forreclaiming (shown in solid line in FIG. 3) to a fully retracted position(represented in dashed line in FIG. 3). In the retracted position therotor blades clear the material on the shelves and the carriage can bemoved to any desired location along the shelves for storage or tocommence the reclaiming operation once again.

While this specification described the preferred embodiment of onecarriage having one rotary plow for each of two spaced storage shelves,it will be obvious that two or more rotary plows could be employed foreach shelf and that two or more carriages could be employed in thetunnel at the same time. Likewise, the simplest form of the inventionwould entail having only one storage shelf at the bottom of the cargohold and having a carriage with only a single rotary plow mechanism.

What is claimed is:

l. A rotary plow feeder assembly for reclaiming material from storageshelf comprising:

rotary plow means, said rotary plow means having hub means, and saidrotary plow means having blade means carried by said hub means;

said hub means having ring gear means adapted to be rotated by drivemeans to effect rotation of said rotary plow means about a first axis ofrotation for reclaiming, and said hub means having ring gear housingmeans for rotatably carrying said ring gear means;

and drive means for rotating said ring gear means about said first axisand for pivoting said ring gear housing means about a second axis offsetwith respect to said first axis to adjust said rotary plow meansrelative to a storage shelf.

2. In the rotary plow feeder ofclaim I:

said drive means including pinion gear means meshing with said ring gearmeans to drive said ring gear means about said first axis.

3. In the rotary plow feeder of claim 2:

said pinion gear means having an axis of rotation coinciding with saidsecond axis.

4. In the rotary plow feeder ofclaim 3:

said pinion gear means being positioned within said ring gear means.

5. In the rotary plow feeder of claim 3:

said first axis of rotation coinciding with the central axis of saidrotary plow means.

6. In the rotary plow feeder of claim I:

said ring gear housing means being annular, and said ring gear housingmeans and said ring gear being concentric with respect to each other.

7. In the rotary plow feeder of claim 6:

said ring gear housing means being intermediate said ring gear and anannular blade-carrying member affixed to said ring gear.

8. In the rotary plow feeder of claim- 1:

said drive means including means for locking said ring gear housingmeans against pivotal movement about said second axis.

9. A reclaiming system comprising:

shelf means for holding bulk material;

a rotary plow feeder assembly for reclaiming material from said shelfmeans;

said rotary plow feeder assembly including rotary plow means, saidrotary plow means having hub means, said rotary plow means having blademeans carried by said hub means; said hub means having ring gear meansadapted to be rotated by drive means to effect rotation of said rotaryplow means about a first axis of rotation for reclaiming, and said hubmeans having ring gear housing means for rotatably carrying said ringgear means;

and drive means for rotating said ring gear means about said first axisand for pivoting said ring gear means about a second axis offset withrespect to said first axis to adjust said rotary plow means relative tosaid shelf.

10. In the reclaiming system of claim 9:

said shelf being inclined, and said first and second axes extendingsubstantially perpendicular with respect to said shelf.

11. In the reclaiming system of claim 10:

means for effecting movement of said rotary plow feeder assembly alongsaid inclined shelf.

12. In the reclaiming system of claim 10:

said drive means including pinion gear means meshing with said ring gearmeans to drive said ring gear means about said first axis.

13. In the reclaiming system of claim 12:

said pinion gear means having an axis of rotation coinciding with saidsecond axis.

14. In the reclaiming system of claim 13:

said pinion gear means being positioned within said ring gear means.

15. In the reclaiming system of claim 14: I

said first axis of rotation coinciding with the central axis of saidrotary plow means. 9

16. In the reclaiming system of claim 15:

said ring gear housing means being annular;

and said ring gear housing means and said ring gear being concentricwith respect to each other.

17. In the reclaiming system of claim 16:

said ring gear housing means being intermediate said ring gear and anannular blade-carrying member affixed to said ring gear. 3

18. In the reclaiming system of claim 17: ,i

said drive means including means for locking saidring gear housing meansagainst pivotal movement about said second axis.

1. A rotary plow feeder assembly for reclaiming material from storageshelf comprising: rotary plow means, said rotary plow means having hubmeans, and said rotary plow means having blade means carried by said hubmeans; said hub means having ring gear means adapted to be rotated bydrive means to effect rotation of said rotary plow means about a firstaxis of rotation for reclaiming, and said hub means having ring gearhousing means for rotatably carrying said ring gear means; and drivemeans for rotating said ring gear means about said first axis and forpivoting said ring gear housing means about a second axis offset withrespect to said first axis to adjust said rotary plow means relative toa storage shelf.
 2. In the rotary plow feeder of claim 1: said drivemeans including pinion gear means meshing with said ring gear means todrive said ring gear means about said first axis.
 3. In the rotary plowfeeder of claim 2: said pinion gear means having an axis of rotationcoinciding with said second axis.
 4. In the rotary plow feeder of claim3: said pinion gear means being positioned within said ring gear means.5. In the rotary plow feeder of claim 3: said first axis of rotationcoinciding with the central axis of said rotary plow means.
 6. In therotary plow feeder of claim 1: said ring gear housing means beingannular, and said ring gear housing means and said ring gear beingconcentric with respect to each other.
 7. In the rotary plow feeder ofclaim 6: said ring gear housing means being intermediate said ring gearand an annular blade-carrying member affixed to said ring gear.
 8. Inthe rotary plow feeder of claim 1: said drive means including means forlocking said ring gear housing means against pivotal movement about saidsecond axis.
 9. A reclaiming system comprising: shelf means for holdingbulk material; a rotary plow feeder assembly for reclaiming materialfrom said shelf means; said rotary plow feeder assembly including rotaryplow means, said rotary plow means having hub means, said rotary plowmeans having blade means carried by said hub means; said hub meanshaving ring gear means adapted to be rotated by drive means to effectrotation of said rotary plow means about a first axis of rotation forreclaiming, and said hub means having ring gear housing means forrotatably carrying said ring gear means; and drive means for rotatingsaid ring gear means about said first axis and for pivoting said ringgear means about a second axis offset with respect to said first axis toadjust said rotary plow means relative to said shelf.
 10. In thereclaiming system of claim 9: said shelf being inclined, and said firstand second axes extending substantially perpendicular with respect tosaid shelf.
 11. In the reclaiming system of claim 10: means foreffecting movement of said rotary plow feeder assembly along saidinclined shelf.
 12. In the reclaiming system of claim 10: said drivemeans including pinion gear means meshing with said ring gear means todrive said ring gear means about said first axis.
 13. In the reclaimingsystem of claim 12: said pinion gear means having an axis of rotationcoinciding with said second axis.
 14. In the reclaiming system of claim13: said pinion gear means being positioned within said ring gear means.15. In the reclaiming system of claim 14: said first axis of rotationcoinciding with the central axis of said rotary plow means.
 16. In thereclaiming system of claim 15: said ring gear housing means beingannular; and said ring gear housing means and said ring gear beingconcentric with respect to each other.
 17. In the reclaiming system ofclaim 16: said ring gear housing means being intermediate said ring gearand an annular blade-carrying member affixed to said ring gear.
 18. Inthe reclaiming system of claim 17: said drive means including means forlocking said ring gear housing means against pivotal movement about saidsecond axis.